Mary Ann Paquette

It is said, “if your heart is open, love will always find its way in.” On Tuesday March 4, 2025 our hearts are broken to announce that Mary Ann (Borden) Paquette at the age of 92, passed away after a brief illness at Concord Hospital.

A true daughter of the South, she was born in Grenada, Mississippi and spent her youth in Memphis, Tennessee. She loved to point out that her mother knew Elvis Pressly before the world did, because they worked in the same movie theater. She was one of two children, both girls, to Johnny Guy and Effie (Pitman) McLeroy and a graduate of Messick High School.

Mary Ann’s love story began when she caught the attention of a Navy sailor, the late Burnell Borden, who passed away far too soon in 1999, but she was lucky enough to find love again with the late J. Leo Paquette, who also served his country with honor but passed in 2010. She joked, “Nothing looks finer, than a man in uniform!”

Mary Ann was no stranger to the idea of a hard day’s work as she was employed by Henniker’s own New England College as the Directory of Food Services of the dining facilities for 20 years. It was during these years that everyone in Henniker and the surrounding communities knew the openness and generosity of the Borden family. Bernie and Mac, while having four children of their own, were like second parents to countless generations of kids that found their way to the area and the college. Their family’s generosity knew no bounds, whether a plate at the dinner table for a lonely Thanksgiving or cookout in the summer where all where invited; everyone remembers that Mac “filled my plate and my heart, regardless of how hungry I was.”

Mary Ann was a dedicated believer in faith and a member of the Henniker Congregational Church and was active with the Church World Service Mission Projects, especially working with the food pantry. She was also a member of the Church Choir for many years and a 55-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary-Unity 65 of Weare, New Hampshire to which she also served as President.

These experiences forged one of the kindest and most generous people they community knew, but also allowed her to deal with a lifetime of joys and obstacles that would test the metal of any person. When asked how she always seemed to survive and thrive she said, “Hard times were the sugar in the sweet tea of life, they made the good times that much better!”
She was predeceased by her daughter, Beth Borden in 1976, and her son Bruce Borden in 1997.

Surviving family includes sister, Betty Diehl and family of Memphis, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Beverly Coleman; sons Randell Borden and his wife Ruth of Suffolk England, Barry Borden of Henniker, New Hampshire; stepson David Paquette and wife Tina, of Hooksett, New Hampshire; Granddaughter Jennifer DiRosario and her husband Nick of Las Vegas, Nevada; Grandson Ryan Borden of Sheffield, England; great grandchildren, Zachary and Anthony DiRosario of Las Vegas, Nevada

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Beth Borden’s Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Henniker Trustees of Trust Funds, 18 Depot Hill, Henniker New Hampshire 03242.
A Celebration of her life will be held at Henniker Congregational Church on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 4pm. There will be a brief reception after in the parish hall. All are welcomed.

Services are under the care of Holt-Woodbury Funeral home & Cremation Services. www.holtwoodburyfh.com .